Intel is going to kill off its Extreme Edition processor branding according to a long time former employee. What once was a badge of true bragging rights is about to be eliminated once and for all.

According to a report from Tech spot, enthusiasts have enjoyed pushing the limits of processors practically since they became available to regular everyday users. Back in the days of Intel Inside commercials and a serious round of competition with AMD, Extreme Edition processors were released with huge price tags so that bragging rights were difficult to obtain.

Intel has used Extreme Edition branding since the first dual core CPU, a 3.2GHz Pentium D based on a 90nm process. Following up the Pentium D, the Core 2 Extreme series was released. Arriving closer to the present, the introduction of Intel Core with i7 Extreme Edition variants kept the same pattern.

Despite dropping Extreme from product titles, there may not actually be all that much changing. The introduction of Core i9 processors has essentially taken the place of extreme edition CPUs. Core i9 options still have the needed overclocking capabilities and certainly have extreme pricing that keeps them only in the hands of enthusiasts or those running a business where time is money.

Russian search engine Yandex claims that it has been indexing private files from Google Docs, but the American firm says everything is a-okay. The alleged documents have not been validated, but Yandex stopped indexing Google Docs completely until the matter gets sorted out.

On Wednesday, Russia’s leading search engine Yandex, notified Google about a potential data breach after its users reported finding dozens of what appeared to be private documents turning up in searches.

According to the news from Tech Spot, Yandex spokesman Ilya Grabovsky said users were reporting that they were finding Google Docs files in arbitrary searches. The documents, which included an internal memo from a Russian bank, press summaries, and business plans, started flooding social media platforms in the country. The authenticity of the documents is so far unconfirmed.

“Yandex search only yields files that don't require logins or passwords,” Grabovsky said. Adding that the files were turning up in other search engines as well but not naming any specifically.

Within hours of the first reports, Yandex stopped producing links to Google Docs altogether and notified Google.
After a brief investigation, Google released a statement Thursday claiming that everything was functioning properly.
“Saving and protecting users’ personal data is our main priority,” the search giant said. “Google Documents is a highly protected tool for joint work and it is working correctly.”

The company explains that search engines can only index documents that have been "deliberately made public" by the authors. Users must make a conscious decision to open a file to indexing. It sees no issues with the way Docs is working internally, and all data should be private by default.

This is to inform the general public and especially, candidates that participated in the 2018 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE that their results are now available online.
2018 WAEC SSCE Results have been successfully uploaded online and it is accessible from the WAEC official result checking website. Candidates need to purchase the WAEC result checker which cost N500 (Five hundred Naira only) from authorized dealers or any WAEC office nearest to them to be able to access their results.

How To Check 2018 MAY/JUNE WAEC SSCE Result Online

Go to WAEC result checking portal www.waecdirect.org

Enter your 10-digit WAEC Examination Number. (This is your 7-Digit centre number followed by your 3-digit candidate number eg. 4123456789)

Enter the 4 digits of your Examination Year eg. 2018

Select the Type of Examination i.e. SCHOOL CANDIDATE RESULT

Enter the Card Serial Number found on the reverse side of your Scratch card.

Enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN) on your Scratch card

Click Submit and wait for your result to window pop out.

How To Check 2018 WAEC SSCE May/June Result Via SMS

To check your 2018 WAEC result with your phone via SMS , use the shortcode format below:

• Send WAEC*ExamNo*PIN*ExamYear To short-code 32327 (MTN, Airtel & Glo subscribers)

For example -: WAEC*4250101001*123456789012*2013
The SMS Costs N30 Only, so ensure that you have up to N30 in your phone before sending the SMS.
Make sure to follow the format above. There should be no space in the message.
Wait for your result to be delivered to your phone via SMS.
Note: you can only use your result checker 5 times, so be wise!

Google has launched its own podcast app

Google Podcast App

Google Podcasts is a very simple podcasting app. Users can search and subscribe to podcasts and Google includes a fairly robust library of podcasts so you’ll find almost anything here. Once you are subscribed, videos can be downloaded for offline playback or you just stream the videos online. It will also use AI to learn from your listening history and suggests podcasts you might like.

However, the Podcasting app is yet to receive the reception Google might actually expected as it’s current rating is just 3.7/5 on Play Store.

Apparently, most reviewers believe that Google’s new app lacks a lot of features that other apps have. For example, the app lacks the ability to create playlists, an auto-download feature, inability to mark multiple podcast episodes as played, and many more.

Google Podcasts covers all the basics in a quick and compelling way. It’s nowhere near as full-featured as a podcast app like Pocket Casts , but it’s a great option if you don’t want to deal with a lot of setup or are just getting started in the magical world of podcasting. Also, it’s free to use.

Facebook had to publicly revealed how it handles user data following the Cambridge Analytica revelations and Europe’s new strict privacy laws. This information came to you from a 229-page document Facebook submitted to the US Congress, it lays out in typed form what Mark Zuckerberg testified to at his April grilling.

With some help from Business Insider, a shorter version that showed a couple of bits that may or may not be public knowledge yet was given.
For example, you probably know that Facebook (and any smartphone application for that matter) knows about your Operating system, browser, carrier or ISP, and your IP Address.
Here are some of them outlined below:

• Mouse movements: Facebook records your mouse movements to distinguish you from a robot.
• Browser Window: Another way Facebook distinguishes that you’re human is by monitoring whether your browser window is “foregrounded or backgrounded.”
• Device information: Facebook also collects data about your devices, including your battery level, signal strength, available storage space, file names and types and plug-ins.
• Network: Facebook also knows your mobile operator, internet service provider, and IP address, as well as your cookie data, time zone, and internet connection speed.
• Device signals: The company also tracks Bluetooth signals and information about nearby Wi-Fi access points, beacons and cell towers.
• Nearby devices: According to Facebook “in some cases, information about other devices that are nearby or on their network, so we can do things like help them stream a video from their phone to their TV”.
• Data from device settings: Facebook tracks user’s GPS location, camera or photos if the permission for these have been given by a user. Call logs and SMS log history are also recorded if users choose to sync their Android devices or upload data.
• Purchases: Data about your “online and offline actions” and purchases from third-party providers is collected, in addition to information about the “games, apps, or accounts” people use.

If you would like to read the full Facebook response to Congress, CLICK HERE. now.

Apple says it will change the default settings of its iPhone to stop hackers and law enforcement agencies to unlock devices without legal approval.

The Apple company has announced that a forthcoming software update will fix a vulnerability that allowed data to be transferred via the iPhone’s Lightning port without legal authorisation.

The move will also make it more difficult for police to unlock handsets without authorisation.
However, Apple denied the changes were designed to thwart US law enforcement. The company has been a prominent opponent of US legislation to force technology companies to maintain access to users' communications.

In the update, the iPhone’s Lightning port will disable data transfer functionality. Once the device locks, nothing would be transferred from it unless the user’s password is entered first. Before, a loophole meant it was theoretically possible to access a handset’s data at any time using specialist ‘cracking’ software or hardware.
Police forces made use of the ‘flaw’ to glean evidence and background information from phones for use in criminal investigations, but weren’t required to attain authorisation.

“We’re constantly strengthening the security protections in every Apple product to help customers defend against hackers, identity thieves and intrusions into their personal data. We have the greatest respect for law enforcement, and we don’t design our security improvements to frustrate their efforts to do their jobs,” Said Apple.

The changes to the default settings of the iPhone are intended to stop unauthorised access to the phones via the USB port without full legal authorisation.

Special Forces refer to military units who receive special training for the purpose of carrying out special operations. According to NATO, special operations can be described as “Military activities which are conducted by specially designated, organized, trained and equipped forces manned with selected personnel, using unconventional tactics, techniques and modes of employment”. This covers essentially, the duties performed by Special Forces.

The duties carried out by these Special Forces vary from nation to nation and may include operations such as airborne operations, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, Covert Ops, Foreign Internal defense, Direct action, Hostage rescue, High-value targets/manhunting, mobility operations, intelligence operations as well as unconventional warfare, etc.
Below are the top 8 special forces in the world in 2018

TOP 8 SPECIAL FORCES IN THE WORLD

• 1. THE UNITED KINGDOM’S GURKHAS:

For the people of Nepal who aspire to join this British military organization, the first set of punishing tests that qualify them for the actual military training are somewhat tame and involve having to do about 800 meters in 2 minutes or maybe 12 pull-ups.
The actual training is much more difficult than anything dealt with by SAS trainees. The aspiring members are made to run 5 kilometers all the while saddled with a weight weighing 25 kilograms. The 25 kilometers incline upwards every 400 meters, and these aspiring members have to complete it in 48 minutes. This among others made their training to be the hardest special training forces in the world.

• 2. PAKISTANI SPECIAL SERVICES GROUP:

Coming second on the list of hardest special forces training in the world – Those eligible for selection into the SSG must have first served in the regular army and afterward have to pass an aptitude test as well with a score of 100.
During the eight months of training, the men are required repeatedly, to cover a distance of 36 miles in 12 hours only. After that, they 5 miles run to finish in 40 minutes while saddled with a full pack.
Once the 8-month period elapses, the real danger begins. The members have to perform 7 para drops, with 5 of them occurring during the day and the other 2 at night. Understand that skydiving at night has a ten-time higher chance of resulting in injury than during the day. After this, members are almost at their goal and have to spend a half year engaged in commando training after which they can finally join SSG.
Also, it should be mentioned that for no reason other than health reasons, can one leave the organization.

• 3. SPECIAL AIR SERVICES UK:

Aspiring members of this unit are left in the middle of nowhere, saddled with a sixty-pound weight and rifle, with nothing by way of sustenance except a bottle of water and are instructed to cover a distance of 40 miles in under 20 hours. It is important to note that their boots and uniforms are purposely chosen to not be a good fit for them. Any police met on the way will attempt to capture them leading to their disqualification. Those who are able to meet up with the time frame also have to meet up with the 4-mile run in 30 minutes which follows.
This training known as the Endurance became known worldwide when it so happened that 3 aspiring members died during the training process. Unfortunately, deaths are not at all strange for the exercise.

• 4. THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY, CHINA:

This army boasts of a standing combat strength of about 1.483 million and is the largest in the world, closely followed by India. The training regimen these men and women undergo in order to toughen them up is one that would make the average man and woman curl up in a corner after simply watching a video of it in practice.
The members of this army are made to go through an obstacle course consisting of 17 steps which include, climbing, swimming and most terrifyingly, jumping over and in some cases, through flaming objects. You know they intend for you to be tough when they make you literally play with fire.
Some people may read the description and shake their heads thinking, “Well, that doesn’t sound so tough”, well, let me tell you now that no matter how physically fit you are, the training is designed in a way to ensure that you really feel it. Potential recruits at one point of this training program, are made to submerge themselves below water for a complete one minute, and if they are to raise their heads even by accident, a superior is on standby to push it back in. Imagine going through such rigorous, physically tasking exercises and then depriving yourself of much-needed oxygen at a point, I am certain that you are starting to get the idea.
You should note that in the year 2014, Chinese Special Forces units came out tops in the “Warrior Competition” which is an international competition between the Special Forces of various nations. So there is no doubt that they are one of the best and hardest special forces in the world.

• 5. KOREAN SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND:

The trainees for this Special Forces unit are made to perform training exercises in extremely cold conditions, shirtless. They have to run, perform exercises like sit-ups, and even wrestle each other in those frigid conditions.
The only time they seem to be allowed to wear tops is when they go to frozen rivers to engage in marksmanship training.

• 6. ISRAELI SHAYETET 13:

The best anti-terrorism unit in Israel is held to a very high standard of performance.
The training period lasts about 20 months and they are made to go through training exercises in basically everything from demolitions, to paradrop operations and even diving under extremely frigid conditions with basically no visibility.
Based on the area they excelled in, they are assigned to land, sea or air operations. It should be noted that before being officially welcomed into S13, the recruits have to go on actual coastal raiding missions. However, as a plus, a medical staff is always on the ground for both physical and psychological care which is no doubt always in high demand.
The sea, air and land teams of the US Navy is probably one of the most famous groups on this list with the hardest special forces training in the world. The training lasts for 30 months on the average and includes something known as the “Hell week” which, true to its name, involves a heavy amount of agony compressed to last a week, during the first 3 weeks of training.
Aspiring Navy SEALs are made to stay five and a half days in the cold, doing extreme exercises, performing training programs on coastal environments etc. all the while covered in mud and struggling with sleep because they are only allowed four hours of sleep.
While they are going through hell, their trainers try to make them quit and mock them by eating donuts and taking coffee in front of them. There is always an emergency standby medical staff on the ground so, very few casualties are recorded.

• 7. THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE REGIMEN OF AUSTRALIA:

Stuart Boner, in the year 2014, in collaboration with Robert Macklin, told the story of how he joined the Australian Special Air Service Regiment. There was one aspect of his story which had to do with training one to become resistant to interrogation. According to him, a white bag was placed over his head before he was stripped of his clothes and thrown in a cell where he was put in stressful positions for a long time without the option of sleep. It lasted for three days and when he attempted or even seemed to be dozing off, a slap was administered to wake him back up. He seemed to be of the opinion that he got PTSD from the experience.
While they refuse to disclose their training methods, it was suggested by Harry Moffitt that there were more deaths recorded during the training process required to join, than during actual operations.
The training process for Russian Spetsnaz is a long and staggering 5 years. The first five months out of those five years are designed specifically to break the recruits and the raise them up again, building them to the right state of mind and body to carry out the highly improvisational methods used by the unit.

• 8. NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD COMMANDOS OF INDIA:

One thing you would find common between these elite units is that their recruitment process usually involves making potential recruits pass through harsh, mostly unfamiliar territory and get to the base within a specified time, giving them a well-earned spot on among force with the hardest special forces training in the world. Many units within the Indian armed forces make use of these test and the men are given a day’s worth of food and water and made to take part in this test. Some recruits, as a way of impressing their superiors, try not to finish their rations before reaching the base.
Trainers all have their various methods of toughening up recruits. A particular Italian trainer was notable for making potential recruits endure beatings from the locals as a means of testing their endurance. A different trainer had the recruits try to pass target practice while drunk in order to show them how it would be like, shooting under stressful conditions. The potential recruits who are able to endure this so-called ‘training’ are then allowed to join the Special Action Group, which is basically the elite out of the Indian elite.
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